Hi all,
I've inherited an old Dell PowerEdge desktop, with 3GB DDR2 RAM in modules of 1GB. Naturally, I ran Memtest86 from one of the Ubuntu CDs. With all 3 RAM modules, memtest fails at approximately 50% of the whole test, at approximate offset of 128MB (40,000++ errors).
I then tested each of those RAM modules in isolation, same result. I ran the test of 1 module in a different slot, same result.
I then took one of my old DDR2 modules, and tested that in isolation, same result. I have no reason to suspect that my old DDR2 module is faulty. I ran memtest with that module some time ago in an old motherboard and had no issues. The ram was stored in an anti-static bag, but maybe it's possible for that old RAM module to get zapped in storage.
Could it be possible that the RAM controller on the motherboard is partially damaged? I have ubuntu running on this machine, and so far no detectable problems.
Could it be that memtest86 itself has a bug or cannot execute the tests correctly?
From what I remember, all the BIOS settings relating to RAM are set to
auto, but even so the BIOS beeps at me on bootup saying that the memory configuration is not optimal.
I am trying to decide if it's worth keeping it for an experimental box or just salvaging workable parts and recycling the rest.
Thanks! Srdjan